HOROWHERUA POWER BOARD.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 March 1938, Page 2

HOROWHERUA POWER BOARD.

MABCH MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Hoi-o-whenua Electric Power Board was held at Levin on Tuesday morning. There were present : Messrs. • G. A. MonK (chairman), W. Barber, T. G. Vincent, R. 0. Hornblow, D. Richards,' A. E. Hyde, C. S. Kecdwell, F. W. Viekerman and A. Seit'ert. Also Mr. F. J. Ramsay (secretary and treasurer). Inctiiiry for Power.

A letter from Mr. R. M. Lange, of Kaihinau Road, asked for the cost of extending the existing line to give him power and also what gaurantee of revenue the board would require.

The chairman commented that it was rather a difficult position, but moved that the engineer prepare an estimate of the cost. It was seconded by Mr. Barber and carried.

Special Rate Sought. Messrs.,Hays, Ltd., advised that they had opened a shop in Levin and proposed to use fourteen 150 candle power lamps for fourteen hours daily in display lighting. The board was asked if it could make a special rate for power used for this purpose.

The chairman said it was a matter for the board to go into and suggested that it be referred to the committee which "would shortly be giving consideration to any concessions that might be necessary during the coming financial year. The chairman moved a motion along these lines and it was seconded by Mr. Barber and carried.

Mr. Hyde considered that the rates for commercial lighting raid heating should be gone into fully during the coming year, and if reductions were made they should be given to consumers in this department. The chairman agreed that commercial consumers were entitled to some consideration. Last year the committee thought that the next time concessions were made they should be given to commercial users. Power for Pumping. Messrs. H. -T. Prior, W. Coley and C. H. Brown, of Makerua, wrote stating that they desired a power line into :i pump and asked for the cost of erecting it and the charges for running it. The chairman pointed out that Mr. Seifert knew the position in regard to the pump and suggested that it be referred to him and the engineer. This was adopted by the board.

Mr. Seifert told the board that the pump was 1 to be used for the purpose of taking flood water from the land and the power was required to drive it. He said there w r as a power line in the vicinity and thought the board should encourage such work. Mr. Barber endorsed these sentiments. The Board's Insurances.

The finance committee reported having given consideration to the board's insurances and recommended that no alteration be made for the coming year. The fire and accident cover is with the State office, the fidelity cover with the New Zealand Insurance Company and the motor vehicle insurance with the N.I.M.U.

The chairman pointed out that the matter had arisen through the State office offering a lower rate of premium for the motor insurance than was at present being paid, and the board had referred the question to the committee. The committee's main discussion hinged round motor insurance and the recommendation had been brought down that no alteration be made, for the coming' year. This had been done, firstly, for the reason that the committee believed the jST.I.M.U. to have been directly rei sponsible for reducing the cost of motor insurance and, secondly, because that company rendered an excellent service Messrs. Vincent and Barber pointed out that endeavours to get a reduction in motor insurance before the N.I.M.U. commenced operations had been fruitless, but immediately they started the premiums were substantially reduced. They supported the committee's recommendation.

Mr. Vickerman moved, as an amend ment, that the board's motor insurance be distributed among Levin agents in rotation. It was seconded by Mr. Keedwell, but was lost on the vote. The committee's recommendation was then put to the meeting and carried. Hire Purchase Agreements. Authority was given for the comploHon of eleven agreements fpr the hir-2 purchase of electrical fittings. Finances Eeviewed. The treasurer gave a statement of revenue for the eleven months ended February last, which showed the following increase or decrease in the various sections over the figures at the same time last year : Increase Units Amt. Domestic Supply 539664 Domestic W-heating -f- 650

, . + 3(59 Com. light and heat 118272 -f l» f J Com. waterheating -f 9S Power 104211 -\- 406 Street lighting - , Guarantee • -4- ' 22 762147 + 988 Less Discounts • 44 £1032 "The net revenue for the period i« £45,488, which is £1032 in advance of the previous year. Approximately 2-3rds of the total net increase is accounted for in the rather phenomenal advance in domestic water-heating. It is now clear that the estimated net revenue for the year, £48,450, will be exceeded by at least £2OOO.- On the other hand, however, the cost of bulk power pur-i chased will be £ISOO in excess of the estimate. There are also other items

on the expenditure side which will be exceeded. On the whole, the position is satisfactory, and although a loss seems inevitable, the anticipated result of the year's working, a debit of £1363, will, I think, not be exceeded.

"Sundry Debtors. —Current accounts, £2823; hire purchase accounts, £5954; total, £8,777. The current outstandings have increased by £146, due to a number of big service line accounts having been debited during the period. Twentyseven cut off notices were issued during the period, and three consumers were disconnected for non-payment of accounts." The chairman, commented that the board was nearing the end of; its financial year and at the next meeting it would be possible to see where the finances stood. It appeared that there would probably be a deficit. On the speaker's motion, seconded by Mr. Hornblow, the report was received.